PROGRAM OVERVIEW 

Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED) envisages that the proposed PhD in Education, Specialisation in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Education, program reflects the rigorous research-based, interdisciplinary, and contemporary academic program in the field of teacher education. By its nature, the purpose is to emphasize on capacity building of potential STEAM educators, researchers, and academicians from Nepal and abroad whose research is likely to become a basis for improving practices in their academic professions by utilising the perspectives and practices arising from intersections of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Education. Given this perspective, the school can enrol qualified post-graduate students in STEAM education from diverse fields of STEM-related (e.g., Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Physics, Economics, Chemistry, Science Education, Engineering, Technology, Health Sciences, Physical Sciences) in the proposed program to address the needs of producing human resources in integrated and multidisciplinary research and practice in education. Insofar as the School has the relevant faculty members and/or it can outsource from among the international partner institutions. More so, international experts in the field can also be invited for short-term visits to enhance the research capacity of our research students and faculty members. It offers rigorous theoretical and practical orientation for practitioners aspiring to become leaders in fields associated with STEAM Education. 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND ATTRIBUTES 

By completing PhD STEAM Education, research students are expected to demonstrate:

• an ability to identify research issue(s) and to develop viable research design as per the ethos of paradigm(s), methodologies, and methods employed in their research
• a sound understanding of the major areas, focus, and contours of local, regional, and international research in their respective research area
• a capacity for a critical assessment of relevant scholarly literature in their field of study
• an ability to accomplish defined scholarly research within a specific research program
• an ability to develop, implement and evaluate educational programs for the concerned community of practice
• well-developed flexible problem-solving abilities (skills, knowledge, and attitudes) appropriate to the area of study
• an ability to develop the ethos of life-long learning in their personal and professional contexts
• an ability to develop an entrepreneurial orientation toward STEAM Education  
• an ability to accomplish independent research/inquiry in education-related issues in general and STEAM education in a particular

Possible courses
 
In case of candidates require specific course works, they will be offered one or more out of the following list as recommended by the supervisor(s).

STEAM ED 625: Quantitative Research in STEAM Education

STEAM ED 630: Qualitative Research in STEAM Education

EDUC 640: Mixed Methods Research

EDUC 650: Transformative Education Research and Practice

EDUC 660: Participatory Action Research

STEAM ED 600: Lenses of STEAM Education

STEAM ED 620: Reflective Practice in STEAM Education

STEAM ED 611: Curricula in STEAM Education

STEAM ED 615: Teaching and Learning in STEM Education

DURATION 

Generally, full-time Ph.D. students are expected to complete their research in 3 years. Part-time students can submit their research work after 4 years.  The maximum duration for the completion of the degree requirements for full-time students is 6 years, and 8 years for part-time students.  

ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLMENT:  

• For STEAM Education, minimum of 17 years of schooling with Masters in one of the STEM-related fields (e.g., Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Physics, Chemistry, Science Education Engineering, Technology, Health Sciences, Physical Sciences)
• Passing the admission test

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of the application blank,
• Copies of credentials,
• A copy of the curriculum vitae, and
• Reference letters
• A fully developed research proposal of around 5000 words (written in English)
• A 5000-word research paper (published or unpublished) on any topic (written in English)
• If the concerned department is satisfied, it recommends the applicants to the Research Committee.
• The Research Committee evaluates the proposal and makes the final decision.
• The Research Committee considers the following aspects while making its evaluation:
• Past academic records
• Research proposal
• Writing ability [written test]
• References
• Relevant work experience (if any)
• Interview
• Presentation based on the research proposal
• 5000-word paper on any subject (published or not published)

PATHWAY 

Generally, the following pathway is suggested for the successful completion of the program in the case of fulltime students:

• Demonstration of knowledge and skills necessary to conceptualize a research project by completing the research methodology-related Courses (semester one)
• Demonstration of the ability to conceive and plan a closely defined research program by presenting the research proposal to the research committee (between the end of semester one and middle of semester two)
• Demonstration of adequate knowledge of research methodologies, and relevant literature by satisfactorily completing the qualifying assessment by producing two papers on methodology and thematic areas respectively (within semester two)
• Research fieldwork (after completion of two qualifying papers)
• Publication of related requirements and participation in the conferences (during the time of study)
• Submission of the written thesis
• External reviews of the thesis
• Viva voce

EVALUATION OF THE THESIS 

The modus operandi of the thesis evaluation will be followed as specified in Research Guidelines for PhD developed by/for Kathmandu University